How to Protect Your Lawn from Fall Pests in Virginia Beach

As the temperatures cool and the days shorten, many homeowners in Virginia Beach shift their focus to preparing their lawns for the winter. However, fall is also the time when certain pests become particularly active, posing a serious threat to the health and appearance of your lawn. Without proper pest control measures, these pests can cause significant damage, leaving your lawn weakened and vulnerable as it heads into the colder months. Let’s explore the most common fall pests in Virginia Beach and provide actionable strategies to protect your lawn from these unwelcome visitors.

Fall Armyworms

 

Fall armyworms are among the most destructive pests that can invade your lawn during the fall in Virginia Beach. These caterpillars are notorious for their ability to defoliate a lawn in just a few days, turning a lush, green yard into a brown, barren landscape almost overnight. Fall armyworms are particularly challenging because they often appear suddenly and in large numbers, making early detection and prompt action critical. Fall armyworms typically come up from Florida and Texas storms. The moths move up to our area with warmer storm systems and after the rain has moved out, they lay their eggs on unsuspecting lawns.

 

Identification and Behavior

 

Fall armyworms are the larvae of a type of moth. They are usually green or brown with dark stripes running down their sides. These pests are most active in late summer and early fall when they begin feeding on grass blades.

The damage they cause is often characterized by rapidly expanding brown patches that can appear as if the lawn has been scalped. The damage typically moves in a line as the armyworms march across the lawn, consuming everything in their path.

Treatment and Prevention Strategies

 

Monitoring: Early detection is key to managing fall armyworms. Regularly inspect your lawn for signs of damage, especially if you notice brown patches spreading quickly. Look for the caterpillars themselves, particularly early in the morning or late in the evening when they are most active.

Treatment Options: If fall armyworms are detected, immediate treatment is essential. Contact insecticides available at local garden centers, such as those from Ortho, BioAdvance, and Spectracide, are effective in controlling these pests. For more extensive infestations, professional pest control services, like those we offer, provide a more comprehensive solution.

Preventive Measures: While it’s challenging to predict which lawns will be affected, maintaining a healthy lawn through proper fertilization, aeration, and overseeding can help reduce the likelihood of severe damage. A robust lawn is more resilient and can recover more quickly from minor infestations.

Our Recent Experience with Fall Armyworms

 

In July 2024, another landscaping company contacted Dreamlawns regarding potential fall armyworms in sod they had laid down a few days before. The sod had come from up north and was lush and green when it was laid. By the end of the week, the sod was brown and there was an infestation of fall armyworms throughout the entire lawn. We went out and assisted the landscaping company, applying products to kill the fall armyworms and followed up with applying preventative applications as well. The homeowners went from having beautiful new sod to virtually no turf within a few days. Fall armyworms typically attack fescue turf, however, they were present on this Bermuda sod. Luckily we were able to help this homeowner save their newly laid sod.

By staying vigilant and responding quickly, you can protect your lawn from the devastating effects of fall armyworms and ensure it remains healthy throughout the season.

Grubs

 

Grubs are one of the most common and damaging lawn pests in Virginia Beach, particularly in the fall. These white, C-shaped larvae of beetles, such as Japanese beetles, feed on grass roots, causing significant damage that can lead to brown, patchy lawns. If left untreated, grubs can weaken your lawn to the point where it becomes more susceptible to other stresses, including drought and disease.

Lifecycle and Damage

 

Grubs are most active in the late summer and fall, feeding heavily on grassroots before winter. The damage often becomes apparent in the fall as large brown patches appear, and the grass can be easily lifted from the soil like a carpet due to the root loss.

Birds and small mammals, such as skunks, may also dig into your lawn to feed on the grubs, causing additional damage.

Effective Grub Control Methods

 

Preventive Measures: Applying preventive insecticides in late summer can help reduce grub populations before they cause significant damage. These products target young grubs as they begin feeding.

Curative Treatments: If you already have a grub infestation, curative treatments are necessary. These insecticides should be applied in the fall when grubs are actively feeding close to the soil surface.

Proper Lawn Maintenance: Maintaining a healthy lawn through regular watering, fertilization, and aeration helps strengthen the grass and its roots, making it less vulnerable to grub damage.

Addressing grub problems in the fall is crucial to preventing severe damage and ensuring your lawn remains strong and healthy through the winter and into the spring.

Chinch Bugs

 

Chinch bugs are another common pest that can cause significant damage to lawns in Virginia Beach during the fall. These tiny insects feed on the sap of grass blades, causing them to turn yellow and eventually brown. Chinch bugs thrive in sunny, dry areas of the lawn and can quickly spread if not managed properly.

Identification and Damage

 

Chinch bugs are small, about 1/6 of an inch long, with black bodies and white wings. They are often found in the thatch layer of the lawn, where they feed on grass blades, causing them to wilt and die.

The damage from chinch bugs typically appears as irregular yellow or brown patches that can expand rapidly if left untreated. Unlike other pests, chinch bugs are more likely to affect areas of the lawn that are exposed to full sun, especially during dry conditions.

Best Practices for Controlling Chinch Bugs

 

Regular Monitoring: Inspect your lawn regularly, especially during dry spells, for signs of chinch bugs. Early detection is key to preventing widespread damage.

Proper Watering: Since chinch bugs prefer dry conditions, keeping your lawn adequately watered can help deter them. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to other lawn issues.

Targeted Insecticides: If you detect a chinch bug infestation, apply a targeted insecticide specifically designed to control chinch bugs. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and timing to ensure effective control.

By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps, you can protect your lawn from chinch bugs and maintain its health and appearance throughout the fall.

Sod Webworms

 

Sod webworms are a common fall pest in Virginia Beach that can cause noticeable damage to your lawn. These pests are the larvae of a type of moth, and they feed on grass blades, creating small, irregular brown patches that can expand if left untreated. Sod webworms are particularly active in the fall as they prepare to overwinter in your lawn.

Recognizing Sod Webworm Infestations

 

Sod webworms are often first noticed when small brown patches appear in the lawn. If you see moths fluttering around your yard in the evening, this could be a sign that sod webworms are present.

The larvae create silk-lined tunnels in the thatch layer of your lawn, from which they emerge to feed on the grass at night.

Prevention and Treatment Options

 

Regular Mowing and Thatch Management: Keep your lawn mowed at the recommended height and remove excess thatch. A thick layer of thatch can harbor sod webworm larvae and provide them with a safe place to hide.

Watering: Maintaining a regular watering schedule can help your lawn recover from minor sod webworm damage and make the environment less favorable for pests.

Insecticides: If an infestation is confirmed, applying an appropriate insecticide can effectively control sod webworms. Be sure to treat the lawn in the late afternoon or early evening when the larvae are most active.

By keeping an eye out for the signs of sod webworms and taking swift action, you can protect your lawn from the damage these pests can cause, ensuring it remains healthy throughout the fall and beyond.

Dreamlawns’ Pest Control Services

 

At Dreamlawns, we offer comprehensive turf-damaging insect control solutions designed to protect your lawn from the most common and destructive fall pests in Virginia Beach, including fall armyworms, grubs, chinch bugs, and sod webworms. Our services are tailored to provide season-long protection, ensuring your lawn remains healthy and vibrant throughout the year.

Turf Insect Control Plan: Our turf insect control plan provides targeted protection against a wide range of damaging insects, including those that are most active in the fall. This plan is designed to address infestations before they cause significant damage, using effective and environmentally responsible treatments.

Combination Packages: For holistic lawn care, we offer combination packages that include both pest control and fungicide treatments. These packages provide a comprehensive approach to lawn health, protecting against both pests and lawn diseases with just five applications per year.

Expertise and Custom Solutions: Our team of lawn care professionals has extensive experience dealing with the unique pest challenges of the Virginia Beach area. We assess your lawn’s specific needs and develop a customized pest control plan to keep it healthy and resilient through the fall and beyond.

Preventive and Curative Treatments: Whether you need preventive measures to stop pests from taking hold or curative treatments to address an existing infestation, Dreamlawns has you covered. We use the latest techniques and products to ensure your lawn gets the best possible care.

By choosing Dreamlawns, you can trust that your lawn is receiving expert care from a team dedicated to maintaining its beauty and health. Our comprehensive pest control services are designed to give you peace of mind, knowing that your lawn is protected from the most common and damaging fall pests.

Protect Your Lawn This Fall

Fall pests can cause significant damage to your lawn if left unchecked, but with the right strategies and professional care, you can protect your lawn and keep it healthy throughout the season. From fall armyworms to grubs, chinch bugs, and sod webworms, understanding these pests and how to control them is key to maintaining a lush, green lawn. We offer comprehensive pest control services tailored to the unique challenges of Virginia Beach lawns, ensuring your lawn remains vibrant and resilient through the fall and beyond. Contact us today to schedule your pest control service and give your lawn the care it deserves.